Caption: Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital Malaysia delivering a speech at the official launch of Malaysia Pavilion at the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC 2024) in Fira Barcelona Gran Via, Spain.
Barcelona, 6 November 2024 – The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), together with Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) and MyDIGITAL Corporation proudly launched the Malaysia Pavilion at the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC 2024) in Fira Barcelona Gran Via, Spain. This exhibition underscores Malaysia’s steadfast commitment to advancing digital city initiatives and fostering international collaborations to drive urban innovation and sustainability.
The Malaysia Pavilion, officiated by the Honourable Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital Malaysia, showcases a diverse range of Malaysian organisations leading in digital city solutions. With 11 organisations presenting their technologies and innovative products and services, attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with Malaysian innovators, explore collaborative ventures, and experience the transformative potential of Malaysia’s digital economy firsthand.
Caption: Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC 2024) in Fira Barcelona Gran Via, Spain.
SCEWC 2024, is a global platform uniting industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators which emphasises Malaysia’s strategic vision to leverage digital technologies for enhancing urban living and improving citizens’ digital experiences. The Malaysia Pavilion serves as a hub for showcasing the nation’s advanced solutions and facilitating meaningful discussions on the future of digital cities.
MDEC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Anuar Fariz Fadzil, expressed enthusiasm about the Malaysia Pavilion stating, “we’re showcasing our innovations to invite collaboration, dialogue, and partnerships that will shape the future of digital urban living, and learning European best practices in digital city governance. At the same time, we are building strong alliances to boost Malaysian digital exports and investments.”
Building on its commitment in Barcelona, the Ministry of Digital also announced that Malaysia will be the first country in Southeast Asia to host the Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur (SCEKL) in September 2025. As ASEAN Chair next year, Malaysia will lead efforts to connect the region with the latest innovations, fostering the development of more efficient and sustainable cities across the bloc.
Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Datuk Azman Ismail, highlighted the transformative potential of 5G-powered smart city applications in enhancing urban living. “Smart city solutions, including autonomous vehicles and advanced public transportation systems, smart lighting integrated with real-time surveillance, real-time traffic management, and intelligent water and waste management, significantly improve the safety, security, comfort, and convenience for urban residents. These applications leverage AI and IoT devices, which depend on high-speed, ultra-low latency connectivity. As Malaysia’s 5G wholesale network provider, DNB is proud to be the backbone of the nation’s digital city transformation.”
According to MyDIGITAL Corporation Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Adrian Marcellus, “we envision building cities that are not only sustainable but also inclusive, using digital technologies to drive meaningful change for everyone. Through global collaboration, we aim to address our cities’ most urgent challenges—improving quality of life, enhancing resilience, and fostering equitable opportunities for all. Together, we can create urban environments where technology supports sustainable growth and ensures that no one is left behind, reflecting ASEAN’s commitment to inclusivity and resilience for a better tomorrow”.
These initiatives highlight the Ministry of Digital’s ongoing commitment to fostering a robust digital economy. By harnessing innovative technologies and encouraging international collaboration, Malaysia aims to set new standards in urban living, drive sustainable growth, and preserve the environment. MDEC, DNB, and MyDIGITAL invite all attendees of SCEWC 2024 to visit the Malaysia Pavilion to explore Malaysia’s role in shaping the future of digital cities and to discover more about SCEKL 2025.
